You don’t have to do it alone ❤️ Discover local stop-smoking support groups, wellbeing services and community help near you with Essex Map.
Your healthier future could start today. 🔎 Find support near you: www.essexmap.co.uk
Helping people live healthier lives in Essex? Join Essex Map – it’s free to list your group or service and reach those who need your support. email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
Across Essex, incredible women are leading groups, running services, supporting families, championing wellbeing and creating safe spaces for others to thrive — and you can find them all in one place on 👉 https://www.essexmap.co.uk/
The Essex Map is a free directory designed to help residents discover local community groups, charities and activities that make a real difference — not for profit, but for people.
✨ Looking for a women’s support group? ✨ Want to meet like-minded people? ✨ Ready to promote a group you run?
Let’s make women’s voices, spaces and achievements more visible this #InternationalWomensDay
🔎 Explore 📍 Connect 📣 Add your group – email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
If your website isn’t accessible, you could be unintentionally shutting people out.
Accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement – it’s about making sure everyone can use and benefit from your website, including people with disabilities, older users, and those accessing services in different ways.
To help organisations take practical steps towards more inclusive digital spaces, Few and Far® are hosting a free webinar: “A Web for All.” on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at 11am.
What the webinar will cover
This two-hour session focuses on simple, practical ways to improve the accessibility and usability of your website. Rather than theory or jargon, the webinar will provide clear guidance and tools that you can start using straight away.
Topics will include:
Practical steps to improve website accessibility
Common barriers that prevent people from using websites
Tools and techniques to help you assess and improve your site
Realistic changes you can make without needing major redevelopment
Who should attend?
This webinar is ideal for:
Organisations responsible for managing a website
Communications and marketing teams
Community groups and charities
Anyone interested in making their online services more inclusive
Looking for a cosy weekend activity? Harlow Library are hosting Screentime Free Film Club every Saturday from 2pm – 4pm in the ACL Classrooms.
No need to book, and refreshments available at a small charge. Perfect for a relaxed Saturday afternoon.
Films showing include:
Saturday 28th February – Compañeros (1970)
Spaghetti Western with great Morricone soundtrack. Two men form an uneasy alliance rescue a pacifist professor and seize a fortune during the Mexican Revolution. English, 2hrs long.
Saturday 7th March – Belle de Jour (1967)
A wealthy yet emotionally repressed young housewife spends her afternoons secretly working in a high-class brothel. Gorgeous surreal film with costumes by Yves Saint Laurent. French with English subtitles, 1hr 40 mins long.
Saturday 14th March – Deep Red (1975)
An English pianist in Rome gets embroiled in a dangerous investigation after witnessing the brutal murder of a psychic, teaming up with a journalist to track down the serial killer. Italian with English subtitles, 2hrs long.
Saturday 21st March – The Smoking Fish (1977)
A cunning madam maintains control over her Caracas bordello, even as she manages, rotates and manipulates lovers and henchmen who vie for power with her operation. Spanish with English subtitles, 2hrs long.
Saturday 28th March – The Flesh and the Fiends (1960)
In 19th-century Edinburgh, an anatomist purchases fresh corpses from the notorious grave-robbing duo Burke and Hare. English, 1hr 40 mins long.
Saturday 4th April – The Yellow Teddy Bears (1963)
British social drama, with scenes filmed in Harlow swimming pool and good 60s style music. A group of schoolgirls wear a badge to show off their experience with men; Linda, their leader, fears she may be pregnant. English, 1hr 30 mins long.
Saturday 11th April – The Vagabond, Part 1 (1951)
Bollywood musical with ‘heaven and hell’ showstopper. A slum-dwelling thief falls for a privileged lawyer but unbeknownst to him, the judge presiding over his case is his estranged father. Hindi with English subtitles, 2hr 50 – this film will be shown in parts across two weeks.
Saturday 18th April – The Vagabond, Part 2
📍 Location: Harlow Central Library 🆓 Entry: Free (no booking required) ☕ Extras: Snacks & soft drinks available for a small charge
For the full programme, including film descriptions, see here: Film Programme
Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham are pleased to announce Essex Summer Fest!
Taking place at Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, on Saturday 11th July, the Essex Summer Fest promises live music, a bar, fun fair, silent disco and more!
For more information, go to www.essexsummerfest.com
This World Cancer Day, we recognise the impact that cancer has on individuals, families, and communities — not just medically, but emotionally, socially and practically.
Support comes in many forms: from specialist services and peer groups, to local organisations offering guidance, wellbeing activities and community connection.
It’s a free, searchable directory of local support services across Essex — including cancer support groups, counselling services, wellbeing activities and more — designed to make it easier for people to find the right support at the right time.
🗺️ For residents:
Whether you’re living with cancer, supporting someone who is, or looking for local wellbeing resources, visit www.essexmap.co.ukto explore support near you.
🏢 For organisations:
If your cancer support service or community group isn’t on the Essex Map yet, please consider adding your listing — it’s free and helps people connect with the support they need. Email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
Support starts with information, connection and community — and no one should have to find their way alone.
LGBTQ+ History Month (February) is a time to recognise the contributions, resilience and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people — past and present — and to reflect on how connection and visibility continue to matter.
Across Essex, there are many organisations, support groups and community spaces doing vital work to support LGBTQ+ people and allies. The Essex Map (www.essexmap.co.uk) brings these services together in one easy-to-use, searchable place.
🗺️ For individuals: The Essex Map helps people find local support, social groups and community services — whether they’re looking for connection, advice, or somewhere safe to belong.
🏢 For organisations: If you run or support an LGBTQ+ group, service or inclusive organisation, listing on the Essex Map is free and helps ensure your work is visible and accessible to those who need it.
This LGBTQ+ History Month, let’s continue to build stronger, more connected communities — and make sure no one in Essex feels they have to search alone.
Chelmsford For You is proud to be supporting Time To Talk Day 2026, taking place on Thursday 5 February, by partnering with local charity Renew Counselling & Training and new café The Social to host Chelmsford’s very first Time To Talk Coffee Morning.
Time To Talk Day is a nationwide initiative dedicated to encouraging open conversations about mental health. It brings people together across communities, workplaces and organisations to start meaningful discussions, promote understanding, and inspire positive change.
Having open and honest conversations about mental health can be a powerful first step towards improving wellbeing. Talking helps break down stigma, builds confidence, and reassures people that they are not alone. By creating a culture where mental health is spoken about openly, more people feel able to reach out for support when they need it.
To mark this year’s Time To Talk Day, Chelmsford For You is inviting the local community to join them for a FREE, relaxed coffee morning at The Social, where the coffee is on us. The event will take place on Thursday 5 February, between 9am and 12pm (no booking required), offering a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space for people to meet, chat and connect.
Members of the Renew Counselling & Training team, including trained counsellors, will be on hand to listen and talk, as well as share information about the services available to support mental health and wellbeing, should attendees wish to find out more.
In addition, representatives from The Glamour Room (located on Can Bridge Way) will also be attending, offering complimentary hand massages to encourage a moment of relaxation and “you time”.
Plus, Chelmsford based artist curiousgb shares his experience growing up in the closet, its impact on his mental health, and his journey to self-acceptance. For Time to Talk Day, he confronts the elephant in the room with a playful diorama.
Sara Tupper, Chief Executive of Chelmsford For You, said:
“Chelmsford is such a fantastic community when it comes to coming together and supporting one another. We’re proud to be recognising this year’s Time To Talk Day, promoting the importance of conversation and reminding people that in Chelmsford, you are not alone.”
Nikki Schuster, Chief Executive of Renew Counselling & Training, said:
“We’re so grateful to Chelmsford For You and the local businesses involved in Time to Talk Day
for supporting Renew. It’s always a privilege to have meaningful conversations, raise awareness
of the support available and build relationships that help keep our vital work going. It’s only
through the support of our community that we can continue to help people across Chelmsford,
regardless of age, background or financial circumstances”
A little more about Renew Counselling & Training
Renew Counselling & Training is a BACP-accredited mental health charity based in Essex, with
over 120 years of experience. The charity provides affordable and accessible counselling for
children, young people and adults, alongside professional counselling training. Renew’s
mission is to make high-quality mental health support available to anyone who needs it,
regardless of background or financial circumstances.
